NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- New York Yankees designated hitter Jorge Posada became embroiled in a bizarre controversy with the team this weekend after pulling himself out of the lineup.
Posada was originally scheduled to bat ninth in Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Manager Joe Girardi put the longtime former catcher in the bottom slot after he had compiled an anemic .165 batting average so far this season.
Posada first told reporters he understood Girardi's decision, but two hours later he went to the manager and asked to be taken out of the lineup, the New York Post reported.
Posada said he was experiencing back stuffiness and maintains he "told (Girardi) I couldn't play today and that I needed time to first clear my head and that was it."
But Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman made a statement during Saturday's 6-0 loss to the Red Sox that Posada didn't tell them about any injury and was merely suffering from hurt feelings.
Posada, 39, was unhappy in spring training when the Yankees moved him from catcher to designated hitter.
